Wednesday June 29, 2011

SCRIPTURE OF THE WEEK:

Thy friends do stand by thee, and they shall hail thee again with warm hearts and friendly hands. – D&C 121:9

Dear Family and Friends,

Today I am filled with such gratitude for ANDEE MAE BELYEA!  I love her so much, and I am forever grateful to be her friend.  She and her husband are moving away to medical school in Texas, and today I went to say goodbye.  I don’t know how to truly express what I am feeling.  The tears keep coming.  I am so incredibly blessed to have a friend like her.  The great sadness I feel to see her go plus the excitement I feel for her to embark on her new adventure is overwhelming.  My life would not be the same without her, and although I know that this is the close of one chapter, I also know that it is the start of another.  No matter where life takes us…..it is you and me Andee!  You and me always!   

MIRACLE OF THE WEEK:  I am so grateful for you, Andee Mae!  YOU are one of my greatest life miracles.  Thank you for being a true friend.

QUESTIONS OF THE WEEK:  Do you stand by your friends with warm hearts and friendly hands? 

Have Faith. Have Hope. Live Like His Son. Help Others On Their Way.

Be Consistent. Please, No Empty Chairs.

Love,

Jaclyn

June 1, 2011

SCRIPTURE OF THE WEEK:
But I do not joy in my own success alone, but my joy is more full because of the success of my brethren, who have been up to the land of Nephi.
-Alma 29:14

Dear Family and Friends,

It's been a couple of weeks since we got back from Spain, and I still can't stop thinking about it.  The trip of a lifetime!  I felt like I was in a dream.  We saw so many miracles.  My heart has been so full to see how lives and hearts are still changed and changing there!  My joy is even more full to know that these individuals and families that I helped teach, baptize, reactivate, etc. are now righteous examples for others to follow.  Words can't describe what it means to me to have been able to visit my mission with my wonderful husband and incredible parents.  It was a huge blessing to step foot upon Spain soil again and see the faces of so many angels who were just as happy to see me!  I LOVED my mission, and the memories from this trip are just as much of a treasure.  As the plane took off to come back to Utah.....tears streamed down my cheeks.  My heart ached.  I felt like I was leaving my home!  My mission helped me discover who I really am.  It awakened my soul to a clear understanding of this life and my eternal purpose.  I will ALWAYS be grateful that I made the choice to serve a mission.  And I will ALWAYS be grateful for the heavenly help that accompanied me as I gave everyday my all.  This trip rejuvenated my soul!!  My loving Heavenly Father and my dear Savior Jesus Christ opened up the windows of heaven and gave me another clear glimpse and a big reminder of Their love.  THEY ARE REAL!  THEY LIVE!  THEY ARE EVER MINDFUL OF US AND OUR NEEDS!  I know this with ALL of my heart!

QUESTIONS OF THE WEEK:  Do you know that They love you?  In what ways do you feel of Their love?

MIRACLE OF THE WEEK:  This just may as well be one of the best summers of our lives!!  First Spain.....and NOW Ecuador.  Yesterday, Matt and I bought our plane tickets to visit Ecuador in August.  I can hardly wait!  We plan to spend about 10 days volunteering with a humanitarian group, and the rest of the days we will be visiting Matt's mission.  Life is so wonderful!  I'm so excited!  It's now my sweet husband's turn to see all his familiar angel faces and partake of the miracles that are still alive from his service as a missionary.  I feel so grateful that we get to do this together!

Have Faith. Have Hope. Live Like His Son. Help Others On Their Way.
Be Consistent. Please, No Empty Chairs.
Love,
Hermana Naegle

May 18, 2011

SCRIPTURE OF THE WEEK:

Wherefore, you are called to cry repentance unto this people. And if it so be that you should labor all your days in crying repentance unto this people, and bring, save it be one soul unto me, how great shall be your joy with him in the kingdom of my Father! And now, if your joy will be great with one soul that you have brought unto me into the kingdom of my Father, how great will be your joy if you should bring many soul unto me! - Doctrine and Covenants 18:14-16

Dear Family and Friends,

MIRACLE OF THE WEEK:

Well as some of  you may know, Jac and I had the great opportunity to go to Spain for the last couple weeks. Actually we went from the 5^th to the 17^th. We flew from Salt Lake to New York (but we couldn’t land for over an hour once we got there to wait for Air Force One to clear the run way!), and then on to Madrid. Wow, what a beautiful place. This time of year the landscape is so green and many of the harvests are growing big. There is something about the land that makes it seem old...or that it has seen many people for a long time. A list of places we were able to go visit besides Madrid is as follows: El Escorial, Avila, Salamanca, Segovia, Valladolid, Santander, Palencia, Banos de Cerratos, Valle de los Caidos, Toledo, Consuegra. Many of these cities were in the north of Spain, with the exception of Consuegra and Toledo.

All very beautiful country. But that isn’t the most beautiful thing about Spain. We were able to see many people that Jac taught and helped while she served her mission. Meeting them and seeing the bond they shared with her was so special and caused me to develop love for each of them too. Many of them are so new in the gospel, but giants in their families and ward families. I was so impressed with them. They are living proof that the Atonement is real and works just like we read in the scriptures. Life leads many people to become hardened and prideful, yet these people, were able to change that hardness of soul.

I loved it. yes I did. But did I love it was much as my wife? I can only imagine many of the things that she felt after being with the people that helped her be so happy in Madrid. She will never forget what happened in Spain.

QUESTION OF THE WEEK:

Is there someone you know from your past that you can reach out to?

Have Faith. Have Hope. Live Like His Son. Help Others On Their Way.

Be Consistent. Please, No Empty Chairs.

Love,

Matt

Wednesday May 4, 2011

 

SCRIPTURE OF THE WEEK:
And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven......
Matthew 16:19

Dear Family and Friends,

MIRACLE OF THE WEEK:  Two weeks ago, I received the most amazing wake-up call.  The Bustamante family called to wish me a Happy Birthday on the 23rd, but also to tell me that they were going to be sealed in the Madrid temple on April 27th!  What a special and tear-filled moment that was for me.  In my last area, my companion, Hermana Wall, and I found and baptized that family in less than three weeks.  It was so miraculous.  This family changed and continues to change my life!

To make a long story short, their phone call made us start thinking about how we needed to go back!  And we started to realize that if we didn't do it this year, then life would get so crazy that we probably never would!  And so.......WE ARE HEADED BACK TO SPAIN TOMORROW!  By WE, I mean Matt and my parents.  

Can you believe it's been one year ago from today that I got home......and TOMORROW we take off to go back!  It is absolutely unbelievable!  Life is amazing!  I'm so grateful for all my blessings!

QUESTION OF THE WEEK: Who has changed your life for eternity?

Have Faith. Have Hope. Live Like His Son. Help Others On Their Way.

Be Consistent. Please, No Empty Chairs.

Love,

Hermana Naegle

SCRIPTURE OF THE WEEK:
My joy is full, yea, my heart is brim with joy, and I will rejoice in my God.
-Alma 26:11

Dear Family and Friends,

MIRACLE OF THE WEEK: Ten months ago from today the most handsome young man called me and asked me out and six months ago from today that same handsome young man proposed!  I LOVE my husband!!!  He is the miracle of my whole life!  I am so grateful to my Heavenly Father for blessing me with such great joy!  I keep asking myself how each day gets better than the last!!! 

QUESTION OF THE WEEK: Do you give thanks to our Heavenly Father for your family?

Have Faith. Have Hope. Live Like His Son. Help Others On Their Way.
Be Consistent. Please, No Empty Chairs.
Love,
Jaclyn

P.S. Happy Birthday last week to Pauline and Mom!  I love you both dearly!  You are angels in my life, and I look up to you both immensely!

April 13, 2011

SCRIPTURE OF THE WEEK:

…God having redeemed man from the fall, men became again, in their infant state, innocent before God. – D&C 93:38

Dear Family and Friends,

Hey everybody! We hope your week was great because ours was wonderful here in Salt Lake. I had a Biology test last Thursday, and although it may not be 100% I think I did pretty well. I still have one more year of pre-reqs at the U until I take the MCAT in May of next year. Woo hoo! A fun update is that Jaclyn and I are registering for classes this fall, and are signed up for classes on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday around the same time. So we will be found before and after class together in the library holding hands… That’s what couples do on campus, right? At least that’s what BYU taught me because that seems to be my only memory of the BYU library (all you BYU goers know what I’m talking about, they’re everywhere!).

Anyways, Jaclyn is starting to get more and more immersed in her new calling as 1^st counselor in the young women’s. Just tonight they had an activity over at the ward and the girls welcomed in a newcomer girl who just moved in and may be borderline inactive. The girl is very excited to keep coming to the activities, and the other girls seem to be doing better and better. Jaclyn, needless to say, is very excited about the whole thing.

We also had the chance to go see the Carl Bloch exhibit at the BYU MOA… Amazing. That’s what it is. It is so telling that God is involved with so many people. Even though he, Carl Bloch, never found the church, he was so moved by the Holy Ghost to illustrate to us the gospel message. A painting can communicate things to you that words just can’t; and Carl Bloch is an excellent communicator who helped deepen my testimony. My favorite painting there on exhibit is Christ and the Young Child. The child is innocent, pure, and watched over very protectively by Christ. This is a great segue into the miracle for the week. 

MIRACLE OF THE WEEK:

This is a very special miracle that I will talk about this week. Our little niece, Maya, was blessed at church on Sunday. She is so special and we are grateful for her spirit in our family. If you have the chance this week to hold a recently born baby, make plans to do it. Look in the eyes of that little person and ponder where he or she recently came from. Who was the last person to talk to him or her when they left to come to Earth? What specific mission does this baby have to accomplish while here?

QUESTION OF THE WEEK:

...And how can I return to have the innocence of this baby?

Have Faith. Have Hope. Live Like His Son. Help Others On Their Way.

Be Consistent. Please, No Empty Chairs.

Love,

Matt

April 6, 2011

SCRIPTURE OF THE WEEK:

"And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him."

- 1 John 4:16

Dear Family and Friends,

Life was so busy in March!  Matt and I apologize for not writing more.  Last month was quite the adventure for us.  I was busy with Act of Love and the ballet concert, while my sweet hubby Matt was a study-hound and busy with his medical research and his new calling as Ward Executive Secretary.  Life was hectic.  I hardly had anytime to be with family or even with my dear Matt!  Thank goodness for the love of God, for angels, and for answers to prayers...... 

Over two weeks ago, I gave my very short notice and quit Act of Love.  Many of you may be very surprised and even wonder why since I am so passionate and obsessed with adoption!  You're right, I AM........but Matt and I know that at this time it was what we needed to do.  Plus, I start graduate school in June and my internship with LDS Family Services in August anyway, so NOW was a great time.  I could go into detail about why it's right, but that would defeat the purpose of merely stating that we feel such peace about it.  I know that God lives and loves me, and He is ever so mindful about the details in Matt's and my life.  Our family is His priority.  I hope you can feel that in each of your families!    

Very few people have experienced this: "Jaclyn, you just quit your job...What are you going to do next??"......."I'm going to DISNEYLAND!!"  :)  Yep, that's right!  Matt and I went to Disneyland to celebrate the beginning of our next step in life.  LET THE MEMORIES BEGIN!  I love that theme of Disneyland.  I can't imagine a better way to enjoy life and create beautiful memories with, than to do it with my best friend and husband Matt.  I love him so much!!!  We had a blast together hopping between Disneyland and California Adventure, while seeing beaches and visiting my sweet friend Amanda.  We were even able to spend time with Matt's mom in St. George, which was very nice.  It was a much needed trip away!  Family and friends is what it's all about! 

Everytime I have a lot of time on my hands, I always go super-crazy with goals and projects.  Don't be surprised if I call some of you to get your help on something or invite you to participate!  Plus, I just got a new calling!  I really enjoyed being the Primary pianist for a couple months, but this calling couldn't have come in a more perfect timing.  Matt and I were on our way back from Disneyland when the call came.  It's another reason why I know that God wanted me to have more time on my hands and not be so wrapped up at work.  He has a new role and work for me to do now!  I am now the 1st counselor in the Young Women!  I'm super excited.  There are several less-active girls and even non-members that I'm serving.  I love it already!  It brings me straight back to my mission.  I love how God works in wonderful and mysterious ways!  He had this in mind even before He answered Matt's and my prayer about my job.

If you haven't noticed, LOVE is my message today.  I know it's cheesy, but I have honestly thought so much about it this week, especially with General Conference and the most recent events of my life.  It has been NOW more than ever that I have come to understand God's love for me and my family.  His love can Heal all wounds, excite all hearts, comfort all times, and touch every life.  I am so grateful for a loving Heavenly Father that is constantly aware of me.  It is His love that motivates me every day to be better and to live like His Son.  

MIRACLE OF THE WEEK:
181 years ago from TODAY, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was organized in Fayette, New York by the Prophet Joseph Smith.  How grateful I am for the Prophet Joseph and for all prophets!  I know that I felt the LOVE of God as I listened to Him speak through His servants last weekend.  I felt the Spirit.  I felt inspired.  I felt comforted.  I felt blessed.  I know that each of you did too.

QUESTION OF THE WEEK:

Do you dwell in God's love?

Have Faith. Have Hope. Live Like His Son. Help Others On Their Way.

Be Consistent. Please, No Empty Chairs.

Love,

Hermana NAEGLE